Naver said Friday it will provide key services including the Naver app, Naver Maps, and the Whale browser to Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) Group's next-generation infotainment system, "Pleos Connect."
At the "2026 Busan Mobility Show," Hyundai Motor Group unveiled its new vehicles "The New Grandeur" and "The All-New Avante," both equipped with Pleos Connect. Starting with The New Grandeur and including The All-New Avante, scheduled for release within the year, the two companies plan to expand their cooperation to deliver innovative mobility experiences through Naver's artificial intelligence (AI) technology and services in Hyundai Motor Group's software-defined vehicles (SDVs) equipped with Pleos Connect.
Pleos Connect offers the Naver app (Naver Auto App), Naver Maps, and the Whale browser, all optimized for the mobility environment. A key feature is that information search, content consumption, place recommendations, and navigation experiences from mobile devices continue seamlessly inside the vehicle.
The Naver Auto App provides tailored information and content based on the driver's schedule, interests, and current location. With "Today Briefing," which summarizes today's weather, major news, and upcoming appointments at a glance, drivers can quickly check necessary information before and after travel. In addition, as the time to visit a reserved location approaches, the app naturally connects to Naver Maps navigation, allowing drivers to explore not only the route but also nearby attractions and restaurants.
Naver Maps has improved convenience so that drivers can quickly access core driving information without separate operations such as CarPlay connection. On the main screen, drivers can view their expected destination along with nearby gas stations and driving scores at a glance, and can also find recommended local restaurants and available coupon information. The expected destination is recommended through comprehensive analysis of the driver's travel context and vehicle status. For example, when fuel or battery levels are low, it recommends nearby gas stations and EV charging stations, and during expected commuting hours, it helps drivers quickly check routes to home or work. Through this, users receive local information optimized for the driving environment while seamlessly continuing the personalized search experience of Naver Maps that they enjoyed on mobile on the vehicle platform.
Through the Whale browser, drivers can use various web-based services and content optimized for the vehicle environment. In addition to information searches, drivers can more conveniently explore the web content they enjoy daily inside the vehicle, which is expected to further expand the connected car experience. It also supports light and dark modes that change the screen depending on ambient brightness, providing a comfortable browsing experience suited to driving and riding conditions.
"Just as Naver has innovated various everyday experiences such as search, local, shopping, and content from PC to mobile, we aim to provide new experiences within the mobility ecosystem in cooperation with Hyundai Motor Group," Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said. "As vehicles are evolving beyond simple means of transportation into platforms that naturally connect users' daily lives and digital experiences to create new value, we plan to expand our partnership with Hyundai Motor Group based on Naver's diverse service know-how and technological capabilities."
